Attachment for electrical apparatus



April 11, 1939. P.E. HAMILTON 2,154,160

` ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 8, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l :milla- ,545

April 1l, 1939. P. E. HAMILTON ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1957 ZM M 9 fm W w 7, w

Patented Apr. l1, 1939 PATENT ori-ICE ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Philip E. Hamilton, Beaver Falls, Pa.

Application January 8, 1937, Serial No. 119,667

2 Claims.

My invention relates to attachments for elec-` trical apparatus, and more particularly to attachments of the receptacle or socket type.

This application is an improvement on my copending applications Serial Nos. 93,710 and 110,-

It is an object of the present invention to simplify and strengthen the constructions of the above identied applications.

Another object of the invention is to provide attachments for electrical apparatus which are strong and sturdy, and easy and cheap to.con struct, repair and replace.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved single receptacle for electrical terminals which combines a high degree of safety with strength and dependability.

A further object of the invention is to provide a duplex receptacle which is operative under all ordinary conditions of use andwhich is sturdy and simply made.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bulb and socket construction which embodies ncvel features of strength and dependability.

With these and other objects in view which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same `.into practical eiect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular con- 40 structions which, for the purpose of explanation,

have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings: i

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing terminals about to be inserted in my single receptacle arrangement.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of my single receptacle arrangement.

Figure 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking in the direction oi' the arrows.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of my improved duplex receptacle.

Figure '7 is a view taken along the line I-'l of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a bulb being inserted in my socket.

Figure 10 is a view partly in section showing the special base of my bulb and the construction and arrangement of the socket.

Figure 11 is a view taken along the line II-I I of Figure 10, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown in Figures 1 to 5 a receptacle comprising a base I having a pair of channels 2 and 3 therein. In the channel 2 is a flat spring contact element 4 and in the channel 3 is a similar contact spring element 5. Mounted at the back of the body I is a base 6 having an aperture 1 therein through which projects one end 8 of the contact element 4. The end 8 is bent over as indicated at 9, and through the bent-over portion 9 is adapted to pass an assembly Ascrew I Il.

Contact element 5 is bent over as indicated at II and I2. 'I'he end I2 is adapted to lie within a groove I3 provided on the side of the body I. Adapted to t within an annular depression I4 in the body I is an annular'sheathing I5 provided with screw threads IB which enable the body to be screwed into an electrical contact device wherein one of the contacts (not shown) is adapted to be electrically connected to. the sheathing I5 by being screwed into a female element (not shown).

There is provided a cup-like washer Il, through an aperture in the middle of which passes a head I0' of the assembly screw I 0. When the assembly screw I0 is screwed into place, there is electrical contact established between the end 9 of the contact element 4 and the head I0 of the screw I0. The head I0' of the screw I0 is adapted to lie against one of the electrical terminals (not shown) to complete the connection to the receptacle.

Mounted in an aperture I8 in the body I is a spiral spring I9 which has a bent-over end Z which is adapted to lie in a socket at the base of the aperture I8. The other end 2I of the spring I9 is likewise bent-over and is adapted to fit within a slot 22 formed in a shutter element 23.

Shutter element 23 is provided with channels 24 which in certain positions of the shutter element 23 are adapted to lie directly over the channels 2 and 4 of the body member.

To hold the shutter member 23 securely in place and permit its rotation in the body, I have shown a guard member 25 which is screw threaded, as indicated at 26, to the body member and which has an overlying flange 21 which engages the outer edge of the shutter 23. This guard 21 permits the shutter 23 to be rotated without danger of injury or sticking, and relieves any necessity for support of the shutter 23 from the spring I9. l

In operation, the prongs 29 of a 'plug-in element 30 carrying two Wires of a cord 3| are A inserted in the channels 24 of the shutter element 23. The shutter element 23 is rotated against the tension of the spring I9 so that the channels 24 mesh with the channels 2 and 3 in the body. The tension of the spring isV such as to ordinarily keep the shutter channels in the position shown in Figure 2. The plug-in element 30 is ythen pushed home, and the elements 29 make contact with the electrical contact members 4 and 5 to complete the circuit.y

'I'he contact elements 4 and 5 are bent and resilient, and tend to hold the members 29 in position. The rotative movement of the shutter 23, however, causes channel members 24 to bind tightly against the elements 29 and this also tends to hold the plug-in element in place.

On removal of the plug-in member 30, the shutter will rotate to the position indicated in Figure 2, thus saving dust from accumulating in the receptacle, preventing short circuiting through instruments in the hands of children, and presenting other advantages of construction which will be apparent. f

Referring now to Figures 6, 'I and 8, I have shown an integral body portion |00 which is provided with auxiliary body portions |0| having apertures |02 therein in which are adapted to be housed helical springs |03. The lower end of each helical spring |03 is adapted to be turned over, as indicated at |04, and to lie within slots |05 formed in the bottom of apertures |02. Each helical spring |03 has its top turned over, as indicated at |06. Each top |06 is adapted to lie in a slot |01 formed in shutter members |00 similar in construction to the shutter member 23 of the form described in connection with Figures l to 5 inclusive.

Each shutter |08, is provided with a pair of channels |09 which are adapted in certain positions to lie adjacent channels ||0 formed on the auxiliary body portions. These auxiliary body portions carry spring contact elements I Each contact element is carried by a contact piece |2 to which are adapted to be screwed, by means of screws ||3, the terminals of an electric circuit.

Each shutter |03 is adapted to be held in place by a guard element ||4 which is screwed, as indicated at l|5, into the top of the body |00. The guard ||5 is provided with an inturned flange |||a` which is adapted to bear against the outside edge of each shutter |08.

There is a bottom plate ||1 which nts within downwardly extending walls ||8 of the body |00. This bottom plate carries a holding element ||9 which is provided with a female screw thread which meshes with a screw thread |20 carried by a screw |2|. The screw |2| is adapted to be turned by means of its head |22 which pulls up on member ||9 and holds the base plate ||1 firmly in position in contact with the auxiliary body members |0|..

'I'he guard members ||4 are so designed that the shutter |08 can be rotated against the tension of the springs |03 to permit the insertion of plugs in either or both plug` receiving mechanisms of this duplex construction. i

In Figures 9, 10 and 11 there is shown a construction for holding light bulbs or similar bulbs. In the drawings there is shown a bulb 20| mounted in a special base 202. From the bulb project terminals 203 which pass through a cement 204 in the base 202 and are adapted to 'make contact with eyelet constructions 205 which carry plug-in elements 206 that project through the bottom 201 of the special base 202.

Adapted to cooperate with this construction just described is a socket construction which I have indicated generally by the numeral 208. The socket construction comprises the usual switch button and accompanying mechanism, which I have indicated generally by the numeral 209 and which is not further described, as this is a standard and well known construction.

The socket construction, however, comprises an outer shell 2|0 having a downturned guard lip 2|| which nts over a revoluble shutter element The revoluble shutter element 2|2 has channels 213 therein through which are adapted to pass the terminals or jacks 206 which project from the bulb. These terminals or jacks 206 are adapted to project into channels 2|4 formed in an annular body 2|5.

In the channels 2|4 lie spring contact elements 2|6 which contact with the jacks 206.

As in the other construction described, the channels 2|3 are adapted to lie out of register with the channels 2|4 in the body, being held in the out-of-register position by means of a helical spring 2 I1 whose ends engage slots in the body and in the shutter.

The guard lip 2|| holds the shutter 2|2 adjacent the body 2|5, permitting the easy rotation of the shutter against the tension of the spring 2|1. The guard lip not only holds the assembly in operative position, but prevents dust or dirt getting into the operating parts.

It is to be noted, asdiagrammatically illustrated in Figure 11, that the jacks 206 are held, by means of the action of the spring 2 I1, securely in the socket 208. The rotative force applied to the shutter causes the shutter to bind against the jacks 206 and thus hold the light bulbs firmly in place'on the socket 208.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not conne myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, Without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electrical receptacle comprising a body portion, channels in the body portion, an electrioal contact member in each channel, a circular shutter member having a pair of slots adapted to register with the channels, a capping ring attached to the rim of the body member adjacent the shutter member, said capping ring having a portion extending over the edge of the shutter member whereby the shutter member is held against outward motion in relation to the body portion, a slotted aperture in the lower portion of the shutter member, a slotted aperture in the upper portionof the body portion, a helical spring having its ends bent over along its diameter, said spring being positioned with said bent over portions in said apertures to normally hold the shutter slots out of register with the chanbody member adjacent the shutter member, said capping ring having a portion extending over the edge of the shutter member whereby the shutter member is held against outward motion in rela.-

tion to the body portion, a slotted aperture in the lower portion of the shutter member, a slotted aperture in the upper portion of the body portion, a helical spring having its ends bent over along its diameter, said spring being positioned with said bent over portions in said apertures to normally hold the shutter slots out of register 10 with the channels.

PHILIP E. HAMILTON. 

